Container conveyer and distributor



g- 1, c. N. BERGM ANN I "2, 8, 9 I CONTAINER CONVEYER AND DISTRIBUTOR Filed Oct. 29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE the like.

CONTAINER CONVEYER AND LISTRIBUTOR Christian N. Bergmann, Pittsburgh, Pa.,- assignor of two-sixths to Cha ley, Pa.

Application October 29, 1938, Serial No.

rles M. Clarke, Sewick- 16 Claiins. (Cl. 19881) My invention is an improvement in distributing conveyers for containers such as bottles, cans, or

It is particularly adapted to the art of conveying cylindrical unit single supply source t livery destinations or sta o a plurality, as two, de-

as milk bottles, from a tions, by distributing a single row or stream of such units by plural supply or delivery conveyers.

The invention has in view to accomplish such distribution automatically by means of a single,

or substantially single, more laterally dispose municating therewith, extension and a lateral are both operative to or receiwng stations p or initial supply row diversion, the full load The invention provid from a main conveyerdelivery conveyers lea ceiving stations.

or to main conveyer and one or d branch conveyers comwhereby a main conveyer conveyer, or two such,

carry to two final delivery ortions only of the primary stream, or by selected either of such stations. for distribution by and to'a plurality, as two, of ding to corresponding re- I accomplish these objects by so combining with the main conveyer branch distributing junction relation transfer assisting appropriate and desired from the main row, for or both of the dc] In the construction of main and supplemental type of those disclosed in in 2,103,107 and 2,108,522, but

star wheels of the latter, application 'Ser. No. 199,

The particular object in connection with directing tal adjustable guides adapt one, or a plurality, of

or delivery conveyers having with the main conveyer, with and guiding-means effecting selectivity of the units movement along either ivery paths,

my invention I utilize onveyers of the general y prior Patent Nos. dispensing .with the or as shown in pending 139.

view is to provide, in guide rails, supplemened to direct or switch the units of a single oncoming column towards one or the other of a plurality, conveyers, one or both of which of the main conveyer.

In the drawings illustr ments of the invention, matic form:

Fig. 1 is a plan view sh a longitudinal main con veyer provided with co as two, delivery may be lateral ating different embodiin somewhat diagramowing the junction with veyer, of a lateral conntrolling deflecting or switching means in receded positionfor both straight and lateral distribution;

Fig. 2 is a similar view member adjusted for dire and preventing feed to th showing the switching ct distribution of units e lateral conveyer;

trati Fig. 3 is a similar view showing oppositely disposed lateral conveyers leading off from a main conveyer at each side;

Fig. 4 is a detail of distributing the normal outputof a single a washing machine, to a plurality of subsequent stations and operations, as in fill- In the construction of Figs. 1 and 2 I provide for continuous successive movement of all the units of a main column, or for partial deflection thereof to a secondary branch or lateral conveyer, as required.

connected supporting links, carried and driven by standard sprockets and power imparting means, not necessarily herein described.

The flights of both conveyers, running at any selected speed, and preferably with the main conveyer at faster speed than the lateral conveyer or conveyers, are adapted to support the bottles or other cylindrical units 3 along and through the several trackways.

The lateral trackway B, of similar conveyer flights 2, has its receiving end terminating as closely adjacent the side of the main conveyer as practicable, preferably with an intervening bridge plate 4 of suitable construction, on a common level with both.

The trackway of the main conveyer A is defined between flanking guide rails 5 at each side, extending sufliciently above the flights for maintaining the units in line of progress, with suitable clearance and free movement, and allowy B has similar guide.

ew of a modified form of Such lateral guide rails are connected with andform extensions of the adjacent guide rails 5 of the main rtrackway, with diverging space widening extensions 6 at each side towards the junction with-trackway B. By such divergence the width of the trackway is increased sufficiently to allow ample clearance for passage of units to the lateral trackway and also outwardly around and opposite to its junction therewith,

for such units as are temporarily deflected from the straight trackway A.

By such arrangement that portion AA of the main trackway conveyer A beyond the junction constitutes in effect one of thepair of delivery conveyer sections. Such sections therefore may distribute units beyond the junction in varying diverging paths, as desired.

One side guide rail 5 of trackway B has a curved prong extension or fender 1, concavely rounded toward approaching unit movement, and terminating approximately at the middle of the conveyer.

Its terminal is thus in position to engage and deflect inwardly certain ones of the oncoming units to cause them to enter the receiving throat of the lateral conveyer of trackway B.

For the purpose of providing clearance around the fender I and guiding control of other alternating units, not thus selected for entrance onto the lateral conveyer, the opposite guide rail 5 of the main trackway is bowed outwardly as at 8 with rounded junction as at 9}, 'thus forming a confining and switching pathway, back to the main line of travel along section AA, as indicated.

A similar bridge plate to, beyond theflights 2, provides a supporting surface for the, units in their arcuate path.

At each under side of the diverging portions of guides 5 from their normal uniform parallel spacing towards the junction, are inwardly adjustable shifting arms l0. These arms are adapted to conform edgewise with the diverging sections 6 leaving ample gradually increasing spacing width for both longitudinal and lateral unit movement. either arm may be thrust inwardly from its side to direct all units either longitudinally or laterally, as desired.

Such arms may be resiliently or flexibly connected with the guides 5 as by a supporting bracket II, and are thrust inwardly as in Fig. 2 at one side orthe other by any suitable means, as a lever l2. When thus arranged such lever may merely bear against the shifting arm, or when pivotally connected as at I3 in Fig. 6, the lever may be positively connected as by a pin l4 slidably engaging slot I5 of guide plate [6. The lever IL may be provided with any suitable operating means, as connecting rod I! having a terminal grip l8, or other suitable: moving and holding mechanism located adjacent the receiving station of either conveyer.

By such arrangement, with the fending or shifting arms Ill both in retracted position as in Fig. 1, advancing units 2 of the main conveyer A will'be deflected alternately by prong 1 to the throat of conveyer B, the next unit passing outwardly and inwardly around through the widened clearance zone and onto section AA, the next unit passing to the lateral conveyer, and so on, as urged by the oncoming conveyer propelled rear column of units- When, due to temporary stoppage of the lateral conveyer load for any reason, the operator at its terminal station thrusts the appropriate arm ill inwardly asin Fig. 2, whereupon all units will be by-passed to the main conveyer extension AA. 0n the other -hand,- if it is desired to terminate main conveyer delivery and shift all units to the lateral conveyer B, such arm is retracted and the opposite arm I0 is thrust inwardly, as in dotted lines Fig, 2, directing all oncoming units to the lateral conveyer.

In either case movement of the units, as conveyed or as urged along by rear units will be facilitated by the flush supporting bridge plates 4 and 4a.

In the arrangement of the lateral conveyers B and B of Figs. 3 and 5 the construction and operation is generally similar, except that the lateral conveyers diverge from the delivering terminal of main conveyer A in opposite directions,

for distribution of approximately equal portions of units to each.

In such operation, as in Fig. 3 both shifting arms ID are retracted, and the units are alternately deflected by a double curved horn extension 1a of outer guides 5, terminating in a common end point I9. By such arrangement the units 2 are moved over the opposite side bridge plates 42; and onto the flights 2 of each lateral conveyer by conveyer chain movement in advance of the oncoming main unit column, for delivery to their terminal stations.

As shown in Fig. 5 all the units may be guided over to one lateral conveyer or the other by inward adjustment and location of the appropriate shifting arm t0, as already described.

Fig. '7 is a detail view illustrating a modifiedconstruction of angular shaped-shifting arm Illa.

pivoted at 20 and provided with a unit deflecting extension 2| adapted to be thrust inwardly across the main trackway at either side by connecting ably utilized for controlling the desired or necessary movement inwardly and outwardly of the path of unit travel. 1

The construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by all those familiar with the art of moving or transporting bottles .or the like along through main and branch trackways of the kind illustrated and described. Various changes, alterations or modifications-\may be made by the skilled mechanic in adapting the system to local or special conditions, or in particular features or details, within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is: I

1. In combination, a main actively propelling conveyer having communicating junction with a similar branch conveyer providing a pair of diverging distributing trarikways beyond said junction, a middle concaved horn, interconnecting flanking guides for directing and maintaining units in transfer along both conveyer trackways, and a switching device adapted to be normally withdrawn beyond the inner face of one of said guides and to be moved inwardly from one inner side face of the main conveyer guide to direct units towards one of said diverging distributing trackways andto one side of said horn.

2. In combination, a main active y propelling conveyer having communicating junction with a similar branch conveyer providing a pair of diverging distributing trackways beyond said junction, a middle concaved horn,"interconnecting flanking guides for directingand maintaining units in transfer along both conveyer tracka ways and providing a widened flaring throat at said junction, and a switching device adapted to be normally withdrawn beyond the inner face of one of said guides and to be moved inwardly of said throat from one inner sideface of the main conveyer guide to direct approaching units towards one of said diverging distributing trackways and to one side of said horn.

3. In combination, a main actively propelling conveyer having communicating junction with a branch conveyer providing a pair of diverging distributing trackways beyond said junction, interconnecting flanking guides for directing and maintaining units in transfer along both con- -veyer trackways and"providing a widened flaring throat at said junction, cooperating flanking guides for the distributing trackways-having a fixed concaved horn terminating between the flaring throat portions of the main conveyer guides, and a switching device adapted to'bc moved from one side of the main conveyer inwardly of said throat to direct approaching units towards one of said distributing trackways and into engagement with said horn.

4. In conveyers of the driven roller or sprocket chain type for cylindrical units, a main supply conveyer and a pair of diverging delivery conveyers leading therefrom, flanking guides for the main conveyer extending along one side of each of the delivery conveyers, coacting companion guides for the delivery conveyers terminating at the junction with the main conveyer in a fixed concaved unit-engaging horn, the main conveyer guides being flared towards the main and delivery conveyer junction providing a widened clearance space, and a switching device adapted to be moved inwardly from one flared side of the main conveyer guide to direct units towards. one of said delivery conveyers and into engagement with said horn.

5. In conveyers of the driven roller or sprocket chain type for cylindrical units, a main supply conveyer and a pair of diverging delivery conveyers leading therefrom, flanking guides for the main conveyer extending along one side of each of the delivery conveyers, coacting companion guides for the delivery conveyers terminating at the junction with the main conveyer in a flxed concaved unit-engaging horn, the main conveyer guides being flared towards'the main and delivery conveyer junction providing a widened clearance space, a bridge plate at each side of the main conveyer between it and each delivery conveyer and flush therewith, and separate switching devices one at each side of the main conveyer adapted to be separately moved in-.

wardly from either flared side of the main conveyer guide to direct units towards one or the other of said delivery conveyers and into engagement with said horn.

6. In combination, a main actively propelling conveyer, a similar lateral conveyer communicating therewith on the same plane, interconnecting flanking guides for directingand maintaining units in transfer along and upon the main and lateral conveyers respectively, a middle concaved horn, and a switching arm having an inner bearing face normally registering with the bearing face of a flanking guide at one side of the main conveyer adapted to be extended towards the other side thereof to direct units towards the lateral conveyer and to one side of said horn;

7. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering diverging conveyers, a -middle stationaryyreversely concaved unit-engaging horn, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer towards one of the delivery con-' veyers 'andagainst said horn consisting of a switching device adapted to be moved inwardly from underneath one of the flaring guides having aninner portion providing when so moved an inclined face for directing units towards said delivery conveyer.

8. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately 9. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering conveyers, and a middle concaved horn, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer towards one side of said horn con- .sisting of an inwardly movable switching arm movably connected'with its inner face in operative conformity with the inner face of a main conveyerguide, and means for moving the arm inwardly partly across the main conveyer path towards such delivery conveyer.

10. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering conveyers, and a middle concaved horn, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer towards one side of said horn consisting of an inwardly movable normally retracted switching arm movably connected with its inner face in operative conformity with the inner face of a main conveyer guide, and means for moving the arm inwardly partly across the main conveyer path towards such delivery conveyer and for receding it to inoperative position.

11. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering conveyers atopposite sides of a fixed deflecting horn, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer laterally of said horn and towards one of the delivery conveyers consisting of a pair of independent inwardly movable switching arms movably connected with their inner faces in operative conformity with the inner face of each main conveyer guide, and means for moving either arm inwardly partly across the main conveyer path towards one of such delivery conveyers.

12. In combination with the diverging flaring. guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering conveyers at opposite sides of a fixed .deflecting horn,means for. directing conveyed units 'from the main conveyer laterally of said horn and towards one of the: delivery conveyers consisting of a pair of independent inwardly movable switching arms movably connected with their inner faces in operative conformity with the inner face of each main conveyer guide, and a lever for each arm for moving it inwardly partly across the main conveyer path towards one of such delivery conveyers.

'13. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main actively propelling conveyer leading to its junction with 'a pair of separately delivering conveyers at opposite sides of a fixed deflecting horn, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer laterally ,of said horn and towards one of the delivery conveyers consisting of a pair of independent inwardly movable switching arms movably connected with their inner faces in operative conformity with the inner face of each main conveyer guide, and a lever for each arm for moving it inwardly partly across the main conveyer path towards one of such delivery conveyers and for withdrawing the arm to inoperative position.

14. In combination with the diverging flaring guides of a main moving conveyer leading to its ,junction with a pair of separately delivering diverging moving conveyers, a middle stationary reversely concaved unit-engaging horn at said junction, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer towards one of the delivery conveyers and against said horn consisting of an angle shaped switching arm pivotally mounted beyond one of said flaring guides provided with a guiding edge adapted to be moved inwardly partly across the main conveyer whereby its edge assumes an inclined position with relation to the path of the main conveyer for deflecting approaching units towards one of said separately delivering conveyers.

15. In combination with the divergingflaring guides of a main moving conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering diverging movingconveyers, a. middle stationary reversely concaved unit-engaging horn at said junction, means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer towards one of the delivery conveyers and against said horn consisting of an angle shaped switching arm pivotally mounted beyond one of said flaring guides provided with a guiding edge adapted to be moved inwardly partly across the main conveyer whereby its edge assumes an inclined position with relation to the path of the main conveyer for deflecting approaching units towards one of said separately delivering conveyers, said switching arm having an abutment limiting its inward movement.

16., Incombination with the guides of a main moving conveyer leading to its junction with a pair of separately delivering moving conveyers having flanking guides, a middle laterally deflecting guide between said pair of conveyers at their junction, and means for directing conveyed units from the main conveyer towards one of the delivery conveyers consisting of a pivotally mounted angle shaped switching arm provided with a guiding edge adapted to be moved inwardly partly across the main conveyer whereby its edge assumes an inclined position with relation to the path of the main conveyer for deflecting approaching units towards one of the said separately delivering conveyers.

CHRISTIAN N. BERGMANN. 

